In the marble halls of the Treasury, a new tax plan is being sold not as policy, but as salvation. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has come out swinging, dismissing critics and arguing that the raised tax threshold is a significant lifeline for Kenya’s struggling low-income earners.

"It is a lot to someone earning 30,000," Mbadi asserted, his tone defiant. The government’s decision to raise the minimum taxable income from KSh 24,000 to KSh 30,000 has been met with mixed reactions. For the CS, however, the math is simple: every shilling saved is a shilling fed. He argues that this relief puts tangible cash back into the pockets of teachers, police officers, and the "kadogo" economy workers who drive the nation.

The Economics of Survival

Mbadi’s defense hinges on the marginal utility of money. For the wealthy, KSh 6,000 is a lunch; for the worker on the factory floor, it is rent. "We are listening to the ground," he claimed, suggesting that the move was a direct response to the cost-of-living protests. By shielding the KSh 30,000 earner from the taxman, the state hopes to stimulate consumption at the base of the pyramid.

• The Critics\` View: Economists warn that this narrows the tax base further, putting more pressure on the middle class to fill the deficit. It is a balancing act on a razor\`s edge.
• The Political Play: This is also a shrewd political move. By targeting the largest voting block—the low-income earner—the government is trying to buy goodwill with policy.

A Drop in the Ocean?

While Mbadi defends the plan, the reality on the streets is harsh. Inflation eats away at the relief before it even lands. Yet, for the worker taking home that extra cash, Mbadi’s plan is not just statistics—it is survival. The question is, will it be enough?